34935
East Bight, in Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
A back-street dating from around 1150 that skirts the former defences to the East and North of Roman Lincoln. It also formed the boundary of the parishes of St Margaret on the north and east, and St Paul and St Mary Magdalene on the south.
It has held many names over the years including Bight Lane, Beight End, Thomas a Becketts Lane, Tom a Beight Lane, Bit Lane, Turn-a-Back Lane, Tomabeck Lane. "Bight" means "bend" or land in the bend".
During the Roman Colonia Era, a legionary fortress was constructed on the upper slopes of the north escarpment. The Character Area is located in the north-east corner of the former upper walled Roman city, and the northern and eastern boundaries of the area broadly follow the former line of the defences. In addition, two short sections of the wall survive in the far north and east of the Character Area. The sharp curve on East Bight may also follow the course of a possible Roman intramural wall, which may have run along the internal side of the defences.
Lincoln experienced a considerable phase of decline during the Early Medieval Era, both economically and in terms of its population. It is likely that the defences were not completely abandoned and that the upper walled enclosure may have served as a ‘reserved enclosure’ for religious or political activities during the period.
During the High Medieval Era the former Roman walled enclosure may have been occupied by the Vikings, for its defensive and symbolic value. The first castle occupied the full extent of the upper walled enclosure until mid-way through the 12th century, and its establishment would have entailed considerable alteration of the defences.
It may have initially formed the back lane to burgage plots off properties along the east of Bailgate, mirroring West Bight to the west of Bailgate, before the development of large houses in the area. Up until 1780, James Street connected with East Bight. During the High Medieval Era, several large buildings were constructed off James Street, parts of which survive in 12 Eastgate and 5, 17 and 18 James Street.
34935
East Bight, in Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
A back-street dating from around 1150 that skirts the former defences to the East and North of Roman Lincoln. It also formed the boundary of the parishes of St Margaret on the north and east, and St Paul and St Mary Magdalene on the south.
It has held many names over the years including Bight Lane, Beight End, Thomas a Becketts Lane, Tom a Beight Lane, Bit Lane, Turn-a-Back Lane, Tomabeck Lane. "Bight" means "bend" or land in the bend".
During the Roman Colonia Era, a legionary fortress was constructed on the upper slopes of the north escarpment. The Character Area is located in the north-east corner of the former upper walled Roman city, and the northern and eastern boundaries of the area broadly follow the former line of the defences. In addition, two short sections of the wall survive in the far north and east of the Character Area. The sharp curve on East Bight may also follow the course of a possible Roman intramural wall, which may have run along the internal side of the defences.
Lincoln experienced a considerable phase of decline during the Early Medieval Era, both economically and in terms of its population. It is likely that the defences were not completely abandoned and that the upper walled enclosure may have served as a ‘reserved enclosure’ for religious or political activities during the period.
During the High Medieval Era the former Roman walled enclosure may have been occupied by the Vikings, for its defensive and symbolic value. The first castle occupied the full extent of the upper walled enclosure until mid-way through the 12th century, and its establishment would have entailed considerable alteration of the defences.
It may have initially formed the back lane to burgage plots off properties along the east of Bailgate, mirroring West Bight to the west of Bailgate, before the development of large houses in the area. Up until 1780, James Street connected with East Bight. During the High Medieval Era, several large buildings were constructed off James Street, parts of which survive in 12 Eastgate and 5, 17 and 18 James Street.